Nick Compton has said it feels "surreal" to be heading on tour with England this winter and is relishing the chance to follow in his grandfather's footsteps.

Compton, the grandson of England cricketer and Arsenal footballer Denis Compton, was also named the Cricket Writers' Club's county cricketer of the year today after amassing 1,191 County Championship runs at an average of 99.25 for Somerset this season.

Both Compton, 29, and CWC young cricketer of the year Joe Root are established batsmen with the England Lions, but Compton admits being called up to the touring squad was still an overwhelming honour.

"I got a call yesterday morning, I was just ambling along the street in London and I was asked if I was sitting down," Compton told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I found it quite surreal but it has come after a lot of hard work. I think for any aspiring cricketer, going to India is a great opportunity - it's huge."

Compton also has a tough act to follow in the form of his grandfather. Denis Compton hit 17 centuries for England in the course of a 78-Test career that spanned three decades and is considered one of the giants of the game.

"I know my grandfather [Denis] loved touring India," Nick Compton added. "Cricket is a religion over there, they love it so what better place to play the game you love.

"The conditions will be tough, but I've played in different conditions and it's enjoyable to test yourself."

Compton and 21-year-old Root join an England battling line-up in a state of flux following the retirement of Andrew Strauss and the ongoing exile of Kevin Pietersen, while Ravi Bopara also found himself dropped after a disappointing summer with the bat.

But Ian Bell, also heading to India, has backed Compton to shine.

"He's been a very consistent player and has made big strides," Bell said. "He's a bit like Jonathan Trott. Once he gets in, he tends to go on and make big runs."